LeVert has since been diagnosed with a "subtalar dislocation of the right foot" and
won't require surgery. Many were surprised by the diagnosis, as his
injury appeared to be far more serious that it turned out to
be.

So how could LeVert be expected to return this season from such
a gruesome injury? According to NBA.com's medical expert Dr.
Michael George, an Orthopaedic Surgeon at KSF Orthopaedic Center in
Houston, TX, the key is that he didn't suffer any fractures.

The ankle joint itself is a joint between the central bone and
the ankle called the talus, and the tibula and fibula above it. A
subtalar dislocation is a dislocation of that central bone called
the talus from the bones of the foot below it. This is a very rare
injury that only occurs with a high energy mechanism, although it's
most common in basketball players, to the point where some refer to
subtalar dislocations as basketball foot.

Once the bones have been set back in place, then the foot is
usually stable. Fortunately in this case, according to reports
there were no fractures in the foot, which means it would not be
expected to need surgery — although there is still injury to the
ligaments around the bones that need to heal.

The treatment for a subtalar dislocation usually involves
immobilization in a cast or boot for 4-6 weeks, George explained,
followed by a "gradual return to activity."

It's a less severe injury than the one Boston Celtics forward
Gordon Hayward suffered last season, but "it will still involve a
prolonged recovery — likely several months — until [LeVert is] able
to play a high level again."